Just Back With Some Dining Observations

[CamColt]

Unfortunately, I don't have time to do a detailed dining report, but I wanted to mention a few things.

Overall, once again, we had wonderful dining experiences. DSs wanted to rate their meals for me and at almost every meal they were say A+++ (ok they are kids and exaggerate a bit, but... ). I really don't think we had any food we didnt like though.

I'll begin with the biggie here, the new kids menus. We could always find something for my picky 6 year old, however I definitely don't like having to get kids picks. At one time when he only wanted a bowl of pasta they removed the appetizer and dessert from the meal and only removed $1.50. I dont usually complain about prices at Disney, but I did feel this was a bit extreme for a kids bowl of pasta. We also noticed the kids meals, whether it was the picks or the meals themselves were very small. One thing I noticed, not necesarily related to kids, but the whole push for healthy eating. DS wanted a Hot Dog and we went to get him one at a stand in Epcot. You couldnt just get the Hot Dog, but had to get a large bag of chips with it. We wouldnt have eaten the chips if they weren't included.

The new lounge menus, get a huge thumbs down from me. There are a couple drinks on them I like, but I really miss getting the themed drinks at each lounge. We have been able to still get the Mintini at Marthas Vineyard Lounge (Lynn there is a great bartender! ), but I hate to always ask for something not on the menu. The Space Monkey at Outer Rim, Trade Winds at Tambu, Mississppi Mudslide at River Roost, etc... were all missed.

DS has a peanut allergy and it was again handled very well everywhere we went. We just informed our server and at someplaces they brought the chef out and others they new exactly what was ok or not. We did have quite a long wait for a chef at Boma and Chef Mickey's, but it all worked out.

Speaking of waits, we had pretty much no wait with ADRS. Our only issue there came at Boma for breakfast. We were told 35-45 minutes...not what you want to hear when starting your day. In the end it was about 15 minutes, so not too bad at all. But it did start us off on the wrong foot. As for places without ADRs, we walked into Beaches & Cream on Christmas Eve with no wait and had about a 15 minute wait at ESPN midday on 12/22(restaurant wasn't even 1/2 full).

As for fine dining, the only "nicer" place we went was Shulas, while we took advantage of the free Camp Dolphin for the kids. This was on 12/27. I saw some jeans and even shorts there and plenty of kids ranging from babies through mid teens. None of this bothered us at all, but I know it's a topic of interest here so I made note.

Overall we found service to have gone down a bit since our trip this summer. I wouldnt say it was bad, but just slow at a lot of places. The best server we had all week was Wendy at Boatwrights.

Places we ate were...

Breakfast-
Boatwrights
Boma

Diner-
Mama Melrose
Chef Mickeys
Shulas
Beaches & Cream
Alfredos (CP Package)
ESPN (lunch actually)

Counter Service-
POFQ Food Court
Caseys Corner
Hot dog & pizza stands in Epcot
Boardwalk Bakery
Picabus
Earl Of Sandwich
Hot dog stand on the BW(name???)

If you have questions feel free to ask.

 

[bicker]

Welcome back and thanks for the info!

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Great info, thanks for sharing!

We are considering going to Shula's on our upcoming trip. Did you enjoy it? Do you think it is the best steak on property? Is Yachtsman's even comprable (I have not been to either one..only Shula's here in S FL many years ago)) and does Shula's waiter still show you the live lobster during their pre-dinner presentation?

 

[CamColt]

I have been to Yachtsman 3 times and LOVE it, so I was curious to see what I would think of Shulas in comparison. Overall I think they are both on par with each other, however at YSH I definitely felt like I was in WDW, whereas at Shulas I could have been anywhere. Shulas was very dark to me, and YSH never seemed that way.

The steak itself (I have gotten Prime Rib at both), I would probably give a slight edge to Shulas, but the overall meals I would give a slight edge to YSH. And honestly, those were just on personal preferences, not that anything was bad or "better" say. For example I really enjoy the garlic they give for the bread at YSH, whereas DH, who loves bread, thought the bread at Shulas was awesome (it was). Also, I preferred the horseradish potatoes at YSH (which come with the meal) over the double baked potato that we bought a la carte at Shulas. We had cremed spinach and Caesar Salad at both and consider both even.

I guess, my opinion is both were great meals. The biggest perk to Shulas for us was the free daycare since Grandma wasn't along on this trip.

And yes, the lobster was live...as I realized once it went back on the tray and started moving (almost gave me a heart attack, LOL!).

 

[The Sweetness]

That lobster thing is exactly why I refuse the *menu presentation* at my local Mortons Steakhouse (which is DECADENT) After freaking out the first time (and almost telling DH I wanted to leave, I was REALLY offended ) I have simply told the hostess when we were seated, that I need to skip the menu presentation other than dessert

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

ohhh, your post made me hungry!

We will be child free for out anniversary trip! We have one night planned at V&A's and one night at BZ and then one more night up in the air...maybe Chef's or Bistro or maybe a steakhouse. Sooo, it seems like maybe, just maybe...Shula's atmosphere might be more romantic that YSH? I do remember everything at Shula's being a la carte...would you say Shula's is WAY more expensive that YSH? hmmm, I do have a DDE card, so that must be taken into consideration....makes me lean towards YSH.....

I know it is silly, but I always feel bad for that lobster. There was a thread about it sometime back, maybe you saw it. I know things die so we can eat them, but I hate that it is taken out of it's habitat (water) just for us to gawk at it, ya know?

Anyway, best not to get too deep into that discussion.....

BTW, the lounge menus bum me out, too... Even though I usually get the same drink everywhere (dirty martini or vodka/club soda) I still like seeing all the options, it adds to the atmosphere.

 

[CamColt]

I'm estimating our bill at Shulas was maybe $30.00 more than it usually is at YSH. This time however, DH had 3 beers and he usually only has 2 so take that into account too. Overall not much more, but yes, it was more expensive. And the DDE would really help at YSH too.

 

[frndofpooh]

Thanks for the info. We also found the kids meal portions small for our DS9 - just something to be aware of with older kids, I suppose.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

I'm estimating our bill at Shulas was maybe $30.00 more than it usually is at YSH. This time however, DH had 3 beers and he usually only has 2 so take that into account too. Overall not much more, but yes, it was more expensive. And the DDE would really help at YSH too.

Thanks again for the suggestion...I might let DH decide this one!

And sweetness..that is a good idea...I could always ask to just skip the lobster part of the presentation, I suppose! I really do like the rest of the presentation.

 

[doodle]

Thanks for taking the time to give your thoughts. I am sorry to hear of the changes in the lounge menus. Would you consider sending Disney an email or letter? I know it is a long shot but maybe if enough of us complain...........

 

[byoung]

Thanks for reporting.

 

[jeanie]

How did you like Boma's for breakfast?




Thanks!

 

[CamColt]

Doodle, I am planning to send an email at some point...once I get settled back in.

I did notice the Tambu Lounge had 1 extra page with a few of their drinks on it, such as the Lapu Lapu, however the Tradewinds, which I just "discovered" this summer is now gone as were others.

I really enjoyed Boma! This was my 3rd time there, but DH's and the kids first time. I would definitely say the food is a better quality than say at Chef Mickeys (which we love by the way).

DH's only disappoinment was they didn't have biscuts which he thought they would (again, comparing to Chef Mickeys). And this was one of the places the service was slow. We couldnt find our waitress when we needed her for ketchup and drink refills. But the food is great and I could easily leave there and not eat for the rest of the day I eat so much.